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49
processes before it is brought into a suitable condition for
delivery and consumption. These processes consists of subsidence
and filtration ; and the quality of the water when
delivered depends largely upon the thoroughness with which
they are carried out. It does not come within the terms of
our reference to lay down what should be the exact regulations
as regards filtration—that is, to say what should be the proportionate
area of the filtering beds, the depth of sand, the
frequency of renewal, or the rate at which the water should be
allowed to percolate ; nor, as regards the subsidence tanks, how
many days storage should be deemed sufficient, so as to obviate
the necessity of taking in turbid storm water, and to allow due
settlement. But we cannot shut our eyes to the fact that the
provision for these purposes differs enormously in the different
Companies, and in some of them is, to our minds, quite
inadequate.
Regulations on these matters should be drawn up after
competent enquiry, and adherence to these regulations should
be strictly enforced. This enforcement should be entrusted to
the Public Water Examiner, who should have the legal right of
entry into all the water-works, and the duty of reporting
periodically as to the due observance of the conditions laid
down. At present the Examiner is only admitted to the works
on sufferance, and though he has informed us that he has
always been admitted, not only without hesitation, but with all
courtesy, by the various Companies, it is plain that the standing
ground of a man who is inspecting by right is very different
from that of one who is only present by courtesy.
Conclusions.
We are strongly of opinion that the water as supplied to
the consumer in London is of a very high standard of excellence
and of purity, and that it is suitable in quality for all household
purposes. We are well aware that a certain prejudice exists
against the use of drinking water derived from the Thames and